English
Scam test

About the campaign

Stop Model Scams is a free, independent awareness campaign about the scams aimed at aspiring models: fake photographers, bogus agencies and scouts, pay-to-play schemes, nude casting traps and impersonators. It explains how they operate, the signs that give them away, how to verify any offer, and what to do if it already happened.

What Stop Model Scams is

It was started in 2016 by Litmind, the community for models, photographers and agencies.

Litmind is a community for models, photographers, make-up artists, stylists and agencies, committed to safety through strong protective measures. The lessons learned on that platform are where this campaign comes from. Visit Litmind.

Who it is for

Aspiring models first, then their parents and friends, and the photographers and agencies who want to show they are the real thing.

Use the campaign logos

Communities, agencies, photographers and schools are welcome to display the campaign mark and link to this site. Download the logo pack (SVG and PNG, light and dark versions).

Download the logo pack (ZIP)

Credits

Design and development by tin.cat for Litmind. Photos by Artyom Kim and Callie Gibson on Unsplash.

The model scam test

Eight quick questions about the offer you received. The verdict follows the six warning signs of a model scam. Nothing is stored; nobody but you sees your answers.

  1. 1 Did they ask for photos in underwear or nude, "to see your body" or "to assess you"?

    Agencies assess new faces with polaroids: plain clothes, natural light, no make-up.

  2. 2 Did they give you details you can check yourself: the client, an agency name, a landline, an office address, a website?

    Facts you can confirm on your own, not screenshots or logos.

  3. 3 Are you being asked to pay anything before working: a registration fee, a book, a course, travel or visa costs?

    Agencies earn when you earn.

  4. 4 Are you being pressured: decide today, keep it confidential, or annoyance and bad manners the moment you ask questions?

    Real professionals expect to be checked and never mind the questions.

  5. 5 Can you bring a friend or a parent to the first meeting, in an office, a studio or a public place?

    Real castings happen in offices and studios, and nobody minds your friend in the waiting room.

  6. 6 Did they ask to move the conversation to WhatsApp, Telegram or a personal email right away?

    Off the platform, nothing can be reported.

  7. 7 Have they threatened to publish or send photos of you if you don't send more, do another shoot or meet them (or pay)?

    That is blackmail, a crime. Do not send more, keep everything, report it.

  8. 8 Have you found the agency or photographer yourself (their own website, their own phone number) and confirmed the offer with them?

    The one step that defeats almost every scam.